A visual representation showing the relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground, designed for accurate rendering when the map is physically printed. This allows users to measure distances on the printed map and reliably convert them to real-world distances. For example, a bar line marked with increments representing 1 kilometer each enables users to directly gauge ground distances from the paper map.
The utility of such a representative fraction lies in its facilitating precise measurements and calculations related to navigation, land management, and urban planning. Historically, these aids were crucial for military strategy, exploration, and resource management. Today, they remain valuable for field work, educational purposes, and personal navigation, especially in situations where digital mapping tools are unavailable or unreliable.
Subsequent sections will address the factors influencing the accuracy of these visual aids, methods for creating them, and their applications in diverse fields. Discussion will include considerations for paper size, print resolution, and the inherent limitations of representing a three-dimensional world on a two-dimensional surface.